Andy Malone’s spell as Bathgate Thistle manager got off to the perfect start as they climbed off the foot of the table thanks to a 2-1 derby victory over Fauldhouse United.
The former Jags player and coach took over following the departure of Stewart Devine on Tuesday and the former Livingston United boss picked up the points at Park View as Thistle ran out 2-1 winners in which all three goals arrived in the space of four first half minutes.
Both sides struggled to get going during the opening stages with Thistle’s Brayden Docherty firing over from distance and United’s Grant Mitchell seeing his effort repelled by Sean Brown in the Jags goal the only half chances created by either side.
Then a flurry of activity that started off with Grant Forrester being unable to make the most of a defensive mistake as he fired wide with only the keeper to beat on 28 minutes.
Having breathed a sigh of relief there, Fauldhouse promptly when up the park and took the lead - only to find themselves trailing four minutes later.
Hashim Bakar got on the end of a corner-kick for Fauldhouse with Brown pulling off a brilliant save only for Stephen McLay to react quickest and slam home the rebound.
Thistle, though, showed plenty of grit and resolve that belied their league position and turned the game on its head with a quickfire double.
Dylan Dyet levelled things up with a composed finish into the bottom corner on 34 minutes before the visitors got themselves in front a minute later as Jonathan Devers rounded off a wonderful free-flowing move with a strike across Daniel Tobin that clipped the post before finding the back of the net.
A spirited defensive effort after the break saw United repelled at every opportunity although Bathgate did have chances to extend their lead as both Docherty and Devers tried their luck midway through the half.
The final stages, however, were very much backs to the wall from the away side with Fauldhouse flinging everything at the opposition.
They looked certain to draw level on 74 minutes when Josh Moore’s fizzing 25-yard attempt was parried by Brown with Alistair Morgan fluffing his lines as the rebound fell into his path.
Liam Scullion was next to go close as his free-kick was saved before a flashing header across the face of goal went narrowly wide in the next passage of play.
Substitute Ciaran Flanagan had the final effort of the game with a header that went wide in injury-time as Thistle held on for the win that ensured the new manager’s time in the Creamery Park hotseat started in fine fashion.
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